RFI - Protocol Development

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is for informational planning purposes only and it not to be construed as a commitment by the Government for any actual procurement of materials, machinery, or services. This notice does not constitute a solicitation or a promise of a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI are solely at the responding parties' expense. Respondents are solely responsible for properly marking and clearly identifying any proprietary information or trade secrets contained within their response. The Government will not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly marked and clearly identified. Proprietary information received in response to this RFI will be safeguarded and handled in accordance with applicable Government regulations. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. The BEP will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) manufactures US currency. The BEP has two facilities, one in Washington DC and one in Fort Worth, Texas. Bureau of Engraving and Printing is seeking information on vendors who are capable of developing a protocol to be used in conducting interviews with blind and visually impaired individuals on tactile features applied to test/sample coupons representing U.S. banknotes. The BEP desires to collect qualitative and quantitative information from having blind and visually impaired individuals provide feedback on the functionality of various forms of tactile features currently under development, that may be used to denominate U.S. banknotes by touch. The BEP is seeking a vendor who can provide a protocol for interviews that would be conducted by BEP personnel during an interview period of no more than 15 minutes per participant. Responses should be in Word format, under 2 pages, and include the following: 1. Qualifications and expertise in conducting studies with the blind and visually impaired persons by including a brief Curriculum Vitae with publications and studies completed 2. a brief description of the approach to designing the protocol, based on a theoretical sample population of 15 discrete test coupons arranged in 3 groups; each group comprised of a tactile feature of a unique design and/or unique material applied to the coupon in a pattern representing $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 banknote denominations 3. estimated total time in calendar days that will likely be needed to develop and validate the protocol 4. Earliest available start date 5. Business size classification 6. Contact info to include: contact name, phone number, email, web address, and DUNS number. Responses to this Request For Information should be sent via email to Kathleen Reidy, Contract Specialist at Kathleen.Reidy@bep.gov. This notice closes on Jan 31, 2012 at 2 PM EST.